OK i might make some people out there upset but that is not my intention...

First, I thought Long beach was fantastic I was even interested in the kids and their 15hp hydros.

At first I thought two classes of jets was fantastic and I was glad to see Ralph out there again. but the boat count was disappointing. 5&3... 8 for one class would have looked a lot better to the fans.

I know, I know the river racer boats would not be competitive, and it's good to have a vintage class to get more people out and racing, but the appearance was unimpressive and I might say tacky.

Seeing tired looking old boats running no faster than the slowest classes on the water does not foster a good impression.

Comp Jet had some great racing going on and the inboards I must say certainly out shined all the whackers.

But anyone who came into the pits and looked the boats over surely would not be impressed with the jets.

The one boat that did show some technology was Ball-n-Jack but even that hull was showing some real wear and tear. SS & SC not to mention KRR all those boats looked immaculate.

I know it's a burden and I know it's expensive but for next year it would be great to see all the jets com out with nice paint, hardware, and team uniforms.

I know there is no monetary reward for boat racing and I know that many are on incredibly tight budgets but the word I hear out by the beach is the jets are a joke.

That hurts, for I love jets, more than all other types of boat racing. I want it to grow and I want it to not just become better, I want it to be the best show on the beach.

For those who raced, I congratulate you. For those who came to cheer I commend you.  But for the class I challenge you to become the most professional class in racing. Be the class that people aspire to not the class people put up with.  I open the gauntlet let the slings and arrows begin...

You have applaud Cyclone and R&D for taking the time and the money to make sure tha there teams are up and running and present them in the manor you suggest, with that example the rest can follow suit. I saw So Cal there ready to help at any time and I saw people come by the boats just ask questions, there were answered by the drivers and crews with the utmost courtesy.
For me hats off to the drivers and teams!

I'd rather put out my money into the boat than uniforms.  And it's supposed to be fun anyway not a job.  You want corporate style with matching shirts go watch NASCAR!

Woe there guys your taking my comments way to hard this was suppose to be constructive criticism not a bashing.  Like I said I know where your coming from. We started with a family ski boat too and we were younger than a box of puppies.  But at the end of our careers in the racing game we all worked in racing shops, and we had uniforms (not from a sponsor but actually matching Dickies pants, Vans deck shoes, and silkscreened bowling shirts (one each) that my mom retrofitted into team uniforms.  My rig was not anodized but it was finely scotch brighted and the hull was always clean and polished.  We acted like kids after the races but we helped anyone that needed it (just ask Mr. Bruce). I tend to agree with you that River Racer sort of falls outside this discussion since it's premise is that the boats come straight from the family garage. But the stuff we did 35 years ago was not a game changer due to cost.  Cleaning up our act helped the team and the image we presented.  This got us sponsors like Premier Helmets, Amsoil, Berkley, Hondo, Drake Engineering, Eliminator, plus the shops we worked for.  That little bit of work made substantial contributions to the racing and in turn our success.  As far as putting my own boat together on a shoe string I did that. Built my own engine rigged it with a drill motor, band saw, and Sears grinder. At the age of 23.  Eliminator discounted my hull without any stipulations on what we did as long as we didn't splash the hull because they knew we would represent Eliminator well. As far as doing it today I am using the same concepts in starting the Engineering Design Academy @ Century High School.  As a new teacher I am awakening kids who may become your competition in the future. Our projects include a radio controlled rocket car, a Solar charged Electric race car and I hope someday new boat designs. I'm doing this the same way we did so long ago buy looking good, doing it right and getting support that will supply materials, cash, and education to the next generation of engineers.  Please don't be so hard on me I didn't mean to be so hard on the class.

GT

I think somewhere in all this we find common ground.  I understand what your grandad taught you.  I probably came on a bit (maybe a lot) too strong on my first post.  I was just trying to suggest where the class, which is developing nicely, needs to grow into.  Where we were is where your heading.  About the time we moved on to our lifetime careers was the time we were thinking the sport was on the verge of major sponsors, TV coverage and dreaming it was to become the next USAC.  That didn't happen and maybe we were partially to blame since we left the sport when we did. Who knows... NASCAR should have been APBA on FOX today.  I hope next time we see each other we can shake hands and agree to disagree if need be but remain passionate about our beloved Jets. Have fun, race hard, (look good doing it)
so then step up and race or join the organization and see where you stand with this professional team shirt shit actions speek louder than words and if your implying that we need to act more professional at the track and present trophy queens instead of race boats come out and show us how its done and yeah you struck a nerveas a class we grow as a family not a who has more money and fancy team shirt shit we all help each other out and share a common interest to bust are asss during are normal week but come race day find the coin ro go racing and have fun with extende friends and family. i for one donate long days and nights to help these guys out so they can race wehether it be with fuel last minute trashing on a boat just so they can fullfill some good old racing and good times with friends and still balance normal finances and life as we live. i vote that you show up and show us all how it should be done and if its about the money the way you speak it shouldnt be a problem i look forward to seeing your pile of shit run with this so called non shiny old run down boats and team jersey 
WIZARD